Storm Eunice, which has hit northwest Europe since Friday (18) with winds of almost 200 km/h in some places, left at least 16 people dead, caused material damage and knocked out power in hundreds of thousands of homes.
There were four victims in the Netherlands, three in England, four in Poland, two in Germany, two in Belgium and one in Ireland. Most died due to trees falling on vehicles.
Formed in Ireland, the storm arrived less than 48 hours after Storm Dudley, which left six dead in Poland and Germany. This time, the route crossed part of the United Kingdom, went to northern France and then to Denmark and Germany, which put a red alert in much of the north of the country.
“There is a risk of violent gusts (level 3, on a scale of 4). Maximum gust: 100-115 km/h”, warned the German weather services, warning of the risk of falling trees and destroying roofs. “Stay away from buildings, trees, scaffolding and power lines. If possible, avoid being outdoors.”
Hundreds of flights, trains and ferries were canceled across Northwest Europe.
In The Hague, Netherlands, dozens of houses were evacuated for fear of a church steeple collapsing. The Dutch rail network was closed and the Amsterdam-Brussels connections were interrupted.
According to the British Meteorological Service, clean-up operations are expected to be interrupted by a new, less strong gale expected in certain parts of the UK.
At least 400,000 homes were left without electricity in the country. There are 194,000 in the same situation in Poland, according to local authorities.
Winds of almost 200 km/h
In England, a gust of 196 km/h was recorded on the Isle of Wight, while others of over 110 km/h were measured inland, including at London’s Heathrow airport.
The weather service has issued a red alert level – the highest – over south Wales and England, including London.
It is the first time that the British capital has reached this alert level since the implementation of this system in 2011.
In France, waves in excess of nine meters were recorded in Brittany (west), as well as wind gusts that reached 176 km/h at Cape Gris-Nez (north).
In the north of the country, 30 people were injured in road accidents linked to winds or falling materials.
About 75,000 homes were without electricity on Saturday morning and some regional rail links were interrupted.
Strong gusts of wind along with high tides led to fears of flooding, especially as heavy rains were still expected.
Ferry traffic was disrupted, hundreds of flights were canceled on Friday and road and rail transport was also affected.
